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SENATE DEMOCRATS SUPPORT GOVERNOR'S $100 CUMULATIVE GIFT CAP

Richmond, Va. – This afternoon, Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Donald McEachin issued the following statement on behalf of the Caucus:

“The Senate Democratic Caucus is proud to stand with Governor McAuliffe on the issue of the aggregate $100 gift cap. This amendment represents a strong and important step towards rebuilding Virginians’ trust in government. Virginians deserve openness and transparency, and they deserve to have confidence in their leaders’ integrity. This amendment moves us further in that direction.”

BACKGROUND

Amendments 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 26, and 29 to HB 2070 and SB 1424 together impose a $100 cumulative per-giver-per-year cap on the value of gifts that lobbyists, their principals, and other interested parties are able to give to members of the General Assembly and other public officials.

Current law sets a $250 cumulative annual cap on tangible gifts; before Gov. McAuliffe's amendments, both the House and Senate ethics bills would have changed this to a $100 single-gift cap, in effect allowing for unlimited $99 gifts from any giver.

The governor's amendments close that loophole, restoring the cumulative cap at the new, lower level for both tangible and intangible gifts.

The Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus supports the legislative, political and electoral endeavors of Virginia Democratic senators. The caucus does everything it can to help senators carry out their mission to represent all Virginians and pass legislation that reflects Virginia’s mainstream values.